Mary’s initiation as an artist came suddenly one day in 1997 after she was recuperating from successful surgery to remove a cyst from the right side of her brain.  Before the day she asked her mother to take her to buy paint supplies she had never painted.  Three years later she was able to quit her job and paint full time. 

     Mary’s story is also about hard work and her determination to pursue her artistic dreams despite obstacles.  Even before Mary’s surgery, her father had passed away after a long illness, which culminated in a devastating stroke as her parents were traveling on vacation out of the country. A transatlantic rush to his side, trying to get him medical care, and helping get him safely transported back home was an ordeal.  Despite the fact she could feel something behind her ear that did not feel right, doctors did not believe her.  They diagnosed her “headaches” as stress related and suggested she try antidepressants --until she insisted on an MRI, whereupon what Mary calls “The Thing” was discovered. . 

      Mary says she comes from a family where working hard is a way of life. Unaccustomed to being bored during her convalescence, she began to paint.  She painted an old dresser, painted some more, and eventually began decorating her cubicle at work.  With some encouragement from work peers who were also artistic, she shared a tent at her first show a year later.  “It was fun, I got a nice response, “ says Mary who sold her art for the first time.

       Mary really threw herself into her art often painting until 2 am, “absolutely loving it,” working at her job the next day, painting night after night at her kitchen table, and entering more and more shows.  Thrilled that people were willing to pay for her work, she also reports having experiences that sometimes knocked her down.  A year after she had begun painting, an area college of art began a program offering mentors to beginning artists.  Mary applied.  “I got an ugly letter back from a well known artist who told me to put away my paint and to never pursue it.  It was like a knife through the heart.”  Mary bounced back quickly, though.  “I sent my art to 10 galleries and got 10 rejection letters.”  What then? “I made a painting out of them and sold it.”  Mary credits her family whom she describes as being practical and hard working.  “I always picked myself up by my bootstraps.”  I spoke to Mary after she had attended 6 art shows in 7 weeks. 

       Intellectually gifted, Mary began reading at the age of 3 and skipped a grade in grammar school.  She describes herself as usually being ahead of the game, academically.  But, she got teased a lot also and had to learn to appreciate her own company.  This is why “I didn’t give up on (my art), I didn’t let it break me.  I really loved to paint and I won’t stop.”  Plus, it helps when “people buy something, and come back and buy more.”  Mary has avid collectors across the country.  Mary’s husband has also been very supportive.  And, eventually “I learned to protect my heart—people can say mean things.” 

       Mary majored in advertising at the University of Georgia, worked at Turner Broadcasting for several years before leaving to help her parents when her father became sick  She later freelanced and also worked part time before summoning the courage to become a full time artist.  “In my family, a job is very important, it’s not something you give up so I needed to be sure.”   She eventually befriended artist Michael Brian Norris who has mentored her, as well as making friends with Harry Teague a well known artist who has also been very supportive.  The ultra competitive, political dramas of the art field aside, Mary is pleased with her work and the reception she gets from others.  She’s been known to send her art off on adventures: “I’d leave it around, not sign it, with a note saying ‘If you like it, enjoy it’!”

       Mary enjoys volunteering at Art Day at local elementary schools.  Visual artists, storytellers, and other creative types spend the day making art with kids.  She has observed sadly that not all elementary schools display children's art on the wall nor do they encourage creativity.  “I like my ‘happy accidents’.  If something falls on the canvas I leave it!”  Mary’s art is known for the power and confidence she displays with color.  It’s not surprising to hear that she also loves to cook and as one of the paintings she has on her wall say, she tries very hard to “Love Life and Be Happy”.           

      Mary will be at Folk Fest this year as in years past.  She will also be returning to the Virginia-Highland Summer Fest where she won an award last year, as well as the House of Blues Show, which features folk art.  Mary is keen in her determination to help other artists who are starting out.  Furthermore, she says she will speak up when she hears other artists making “soulless comments”. 

       As for what’s going on right now?  “I haven’t even scratched the surface!”